{"id":1090,"date":"2018-10-29T11:00:31","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T15:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atlanticrefrigeration.com\/blog\/?p=1090"},"modified":"2018-10-24T14:54:53","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T18:54:53","slug":"choosing-an-air-filter-for-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atlanticrefrigeration.com\/blog\/indoor-air-quality-service\/choosing-an-air-filter-for-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing an Air Filter for Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"woman-blowing-nose\"<\/span>Now, don\u2019t let this headline mislead you. Your HVAC system requires an air filter in order to protect sensitive components, such as the evaporator coil, from exposure to dust and dirt particles. However, these air filters have little to do with the overall indoor air quality in your home.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may not have realized that a separate class of air filters exists and, if you or your family members have allergies and asthma problems, they might be just the thing to make all the difference. In this post, we\u2019ll go over what you need to know about these kinds of air filters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Kind of Air Filters Are out There?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many types. But to make it simpler to understand, air filters are categorized by their MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles and contaminants it will keep out. The MERV scale goes from 1 to 16.<\/span><\/p>\n

So with that being said, it seems like everyone should get a filter as high on the MERV scale as they can afford, right? Of course, it\u2019s not that easy. As the MERV rating increases, the better they are at trapping smaller particles\u2014meaning that the filter is so fine that even air has a hard time getting through. This is a direct damper on efficiency. <\/span><\/p>\n

Only facilities that are required to use high MERV rating filters will use them (and can afford to), such as in inpatient care rooms, surgical rooms, and other places where preventing contamination is of the utmost concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the rest of us, a range from 5 to 8 is best. These filters are usually enough to block out the offenders that rile up allergy and asthma symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which Ones Can Be Used the Most?<\/span><\/h2>\n

So, you may be wondering, which air filter will last the longest? Having to change them all the time can be a pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

In truth, the lifespan of a filter depends on factors inside the home, not on the quality of the air filter itself. To name a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n